There was a time when my mom and dad, both gone now, had to do that. I bought my dad’s heart meds many times because they couldn’t afford them. Before Medicare part D.
Not so sure that’s the case now. The ones who may be hurting are the ones not quite old enough for Social Security. The working poor.
I think that happens to a combination of people who thought they might have things handled, and didn’t because of changes in the economy, those who aren’t going to apply for welfare, and those who don’t know how to or are at the edge of qualifying.